Bengaluru FC suffered their second AFC Cup loss in the group stages, as they went down to defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim. Safiq Rahim scored for JDT from a free-kick in the 55th minute, as Alwyn George missed a gilt-edged chance to equalize for BFC late on.
First Half
Bengaluru FC were heavily unfavoured going into the game, and Ashley Westwood surprised everyone with a tweaked lineup, as captain Sunil Chhetri dropped to the bench. Johor, the defending champions of the AFC Cup, took to the field on the front foot, and created the first chance of the game from Safiq Rahim’s right-wing free-kick in the 10th minute, but his delivery flashed across the box.
BFC were clearly set up to defend, with JDT having most of the ball, although the visitors were only reduced to pot shots from range, as Jorge Diaz and Juan Lucero worked Lalthuammawia Ralte in the host’s goal with a couple of swerving shots midway through the half.
JDT kept looking for an opener, and went close in the 36th minute, as Aidil Zafuan went close from Antonio’s chip with a powerful volley that flew wide with Ralte stranded. The host’s keeper nearly undid his side’s good defensive work in the 41st minute, as he palmed Lucero’s cross into Diaz’s path, but the Johor player missed an open goal, his reflex shot going wide.
Westwood would have been pleased with his side’s efforts as the first half whistle blew, with the sides going into the break goalless.
Second Half
Bengaluru FC’s catenaccio strategy nearly paid off in the 51st minute, as John Johnson headed over, when he was found unmarked in the box by a free-kick from Udanta Singh on the left wing. The defender would come to rue that miss.
The visitors took a fortunate lead, as the referee blew for a foul on Amirul by Keegan Pereira, although replays showed it was a dive. Safiq Rahim stepped up an unleashed a trademark free-kick into the top right corner and give Johor the lead in the 55th minute.
As BFC heads dropped, Johor nearly doubled the lead in the 65th minute, as Diaz’s effort from a well-worked Safiq free-kick was blocked by John Johnson. Lucero repeated his strike from the first half, as his low effort was comfortably saved by Ralte. Chhuantea and Safiq Rahim traded identical chances as the second half petered out, with BFC unable to muster a challenge.
Substitute Alwyn George could have been BFC’s hero, but the midfielder missed a fantastic chance to equalize after taking down a cross and evading the keeper. However, George hit the side netting, when the goal in its entirety stared back at him, with the entire home crowd groaning in agony.
BFC began to muster a late comeback, but it was ultimately in vain, as the spirited hosts went down to Johor, which meant that Bengaluru FC are still bottom of the group with two losses, while JDT top with two wins.
